Women’s Euro 2025: Be more than a spectator

As the Women’s Euros kick off, Major Jo Moir encourages everyone to stand with women and girls.

This week, the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 tournament kicked off in Switzerland. The 14th edition of the tournament, it runs until 27 July, with 16 teams competing to lift the trophy. England are the defending champions after winning the 2022 tournament.

The coming few weeks will be a celebration of skill, teamwork and the unifying power of football. But beyond the excitement of the tournament, these weeks also give us the opportunity to draw attention to some of the most pressing challenges facing women and girls in the UK and Ireland: domestic abuse, debt, homelessness and modern slavery.

Since the 1800s, The Salvation Army has provided safe havens for women fleeing domestic violence. Today, we continue to offer confidential accommodation, practical support and pastoral care, helping women reclaim their lives with dignity.

For 160 years, we’ve fought to protect women and girls trapped in slavery. Today, The Salvation Army is the leading provider of specialist support for adult survivors in England and Wales, helping them heal and rebuild. On a typical day, the Army helps three women who have escaped modern slavery rebuild their lives.

Through the Army’s 25 UK debt advice centres, we provide free, impartial and non-judgemental support to people facing financial difficulties. Women are disproportionately affected by debt – 36 per cent of them take on new debt, compared to 28 per cent of men. The Salvation Army is committed to helping them achieve financial freedom.

Many women experiencing homelessness remain unseen, sleeping on sofas, in cars or moving between friends. UK government research suggests that, to stay safe, women are more likely to try and avoid being seen by staying on the move at night, using public transport or hiding themselves. The Salvation Army operates over 80 Lifehouses across the UK and Ireland, providing safe, stable spaces where women can rebuild their lives with confidence. Our teams work daily to provide shelter, trauma care and job training – reaching countless women in their most vulnerable moments.

As The Salvation Army, we’re not just spectators: we take action. We believe that our faith should be expressed in action as well as words, that we are called to love God and love others (see Matthew 22:37–40) and seek fullness of life for all with Jesus (see John 10:10).

As the world watches the Women’s Euro 2025, we are asking individuals and businesses to stand with us and unite in celebration and solidarity with women. Whether that is hosting a Women’s Euro 2025 watch party or organising a wear-your-football-shirt-to-work day, we are inviting people to raise funds for our vital women’s programmes. Together, we can raise awareness, hope and funds to help bring freedom, confidence and dignity to women and girls in need.

Reflect and respond

• Pray for The Salvation Army’s work supporting women and girls across the UK and Ireland.
• Revisit Matthew 22:37–40 in different translations. How does that help you understand loving God and loving others in a new way?
• Visit salvationarmy.org.uk to find out more about inviting people to raise funds during the Women’s Euros.